Apple's acquisition of Siri has resulted in a standout feature for iPhone 4S that promises to change how users interact with mobile devices.

Apple acquired Siri a year and a half ago, and has since worked on integrating the technology into iOS 5.

Siri first appeared as an iOS app, allowing users to ask natural language questions that were analyzed via the company's network service to provide answers ranging from making dinner appointments to buying movie tickets.

The greatly improved processing power of iPhone 4S enables it to do more with Siri, turning the app into a deeply embedded service. Apple has now pulled the Siri app from the App Store, and existing users are being notified that the former Siri app will stop working October 15, after the iPhone 4S arrives.

"I've been replaced!" The app notified existing users today. "The new Siri is even smarter and better looking than me, and waiting for you on the iPhone 4S. I'll be leaving for home Oct. 15th. Until then... how can I help you?"

Apple has incorporated Siri technology into iOS to allow the new iPhone 4S to both access external queries about weather, local businesses, traffic and general information as well as providing hands-free assistance with creating calendar appointments, looking up contacts, setting up timers and location-based reminders, accessing maps or directions, sending emails or texts, or controlling iPod playback.

The functionality of Siri is also integrated with new dictation features that allow iPhone 4S users to write messages by speaking, something that should work in most existing apps anywhere the user can type.

In a video created to demonstrate Siri features, Apple depicts the new feature as working as a greatly embellished version of Voice Command, where users press the integrated mic button or, presumably, double click the Home button.

One user is depicted scheduling appointments while jogging, while another asks for directions hands-free while driving. A woman asks about the weather in another city, and a cook asks for a measurement conversion before requesting Siri to set an alarm timer.

A final segment in the video depicts Siri's integration with iOS accessibility features, showing a blind user getting a verbal text notification that she can then respond to and send entirely by voice commands.

I have absolutely NO desire to talk to my phone (been there done that) nor my computer. I expect it to read my thoughts.
I do have a desire to browse the Internet on my flat screen TV on my wall which however ATV will not allow.

It better work as shown in the videos or Apple (and it) will become the butt of many, many jokes...

I would imagine it will work very well. Generally when Apple rolls out a new feature it works as it's intended. I was going to type "works as advertised", but that's often a bit over the top no matter who's product is being pushed, even Apple's.

Having said that, the feature sounds and looks pretty cool, but using it in public? Perhaps not so much. Talking to my GPS, Ford Sync or phone in the privacy of my truck or maybe at home is fine. Not going to happen at work or in other public places. Just kinda dorky IMO.

I would imagine it will work very well. Generally when Apple rolls out a new feature it works as it's intended. I was going to type "works as advertised", but that's often a bit over the top no matter who's product is being pushed, even Apple's.

Having said that, the feature sounds and looks pretty cool, but using it in public? Perhaps not so much. Talking to my GPS, Ford Sync or phone in the privacy of my truck or maybe at home is fine. Not going to happen at work or in other public places. Just kinda dorky IMO.

The iPad 2 uses the same A5 chip and no doubt its at its full speed more often than in the iPhone 4S, so why doesn't it get Siri?

The iPhone 4S might have more RAM - I don't think they said either way, but voice recognition is RAM intensive. I'd also imagine the 4S has a better mic system with noise cancellation, etc. Of course, it could be Apple is making it 4S exclusive for purely marketing purposes.

The iPhone 4S might have more RAM - I don't think they said either way, but voice recognition is RAM intensive. I'd also imagine the 4S has a better mic system with noise cancellation, etc. Of course, it could be Apple is making it 4S exclusive for purely marketing purposes.

If that's the case, I hope that teaches the apologists who were saying the iPad's RAM stinginess was no big deal. It might not make a big difference at the time, but it often leads to quick obsolescence.

Apple should let people chose what their personal assistant looks like and how they speak.

Let's say that I don't like the voice in the demo, and I'd rather have a 19 year old redhead with an English accent to be my personal assistant. I should be able to input those preferences and the voice and tone will adjust accordingly to suit my needs.

Let's say that I want a hot looking African American chick, who is 25 year olds as an assistant the next day. Again, I should be able to input that data, and the voice should adapt to that, changing in accent, timbre and tone.

What if some chick wants a male assistant?

It's still in Beta, so in the future, I expect to see these options included.

After reading through the comments on AI, BBC and other sites it appears that the main issue that the posters have is that it looks identical to the iPhone 4. Now, this won't matter two hoots to joe public (thats the 19 or so million who bought the iPhone 4 last quarter) but to the tech savvy it appears that you need new devices to look different for poser value.

You can't pull out your new shiny toy to pose with/show off, if it looks like last years model.

Back to Siri. If it works as well as it appears on the BBC video then it will be great using it whilst driving, no more near misses whilst texting (not that I would do such a thing).

One thing that will be a good indicator of future sales will be the Apple quarterly report this month. With news going round that a new iPhone is coming sales should be well down. If, however, sales have not dropped dramatically then the iPhone 4S, 4 and 3G will continue to sell due to the fact that the people buying them obviously have no interest in the internet tech sites and could care less about new technology.

A final segment in the video depicts Siri's integration with iOS accessibility features, showing a bind user getting a verbal text notification that she can then respond to and send entirely by voice commands.

As someone already stated, it will not work with any of the current Apple products no matter if you use iOS5. It's unique to the upcoming iPhone 4s.

The feature is obviously unique to the new phone; the question was why? Is it simply an effort on Apple's part to differentiate hardware, or is there a legit technical reason? I'd like to know. I was looking forward to better voice control in iOS 5, and am disappointed that it will not be available.

The iPhone 4S might have more RAM - I don't think they said either way, but voice recognition is RAM intensive. I'd also imagine the 4S has a better mic system with noise cancellation, etc. Of course, it could be Apple is making it 4S exclusive for purely marketing purposes.

I have absolutely NO desire to talk to my phone (been there done that) nor my computer. I expect it to read my thoughts.
I do have a desire to browse the Internet on my flat screen TV on my wall which however ATV will not allow.

Neither do I (except in the conventional sense of course), but my wife does.

She wants it to read to her, help her send messages, find answers on the Internet for her, and many more things she can't currently easily do with her phone. That's because she's blind.

If this things works as advertised, it truly could be a life changer for some people. Apple deserves nothing but kudos for that.

Canucklehead- do you know the difference between "to" and "into"? There are free dictionary apps available you know- just saying.

I do understand the difference. The thing is, I submit that anyone who talks "to" their phone has a few screws loose. Sane people only ever talk "into" their phones. Semantics aside, it was a joke. Chill.